The Rangers took care of business on home ice and came out with a much needed victory to get themselves back in the series, beating the Hurricanes 3-1. As the story has been a little too often in these playoffs, it wasn’t the prettiest showing on the Rangers front but the buzzer sounded with them on top and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. The Rangers got an outstanding effort from Igor Shesterkin and their top guys came to play, putting them on the board early. Carolina has yet to win a game on the road in these playoffs so it will be pivotal for the Rangers to build off this win and ensure they get another one in game two. First, let's recap game one.
The Rangers came into game three with rejuvenated energy from some new line combinations Gerard Gallant put together.
Kreider - Zibanejad - Chytil
Panarin - Strome - Lafreniere
Vatrano - Copp - Kakko
Motte - Rooney - Reaves
The Rangers were quick to get some opportunities but it wouldn’t take long for the tide to turn in Carolina’s favor. A cross-checking penalty from Ryan Lindgren just 67 seconds in put them at quite the disadvantage to start the game. The Rangers killed off the man advantage but the effects of it lingered far more than they would have wanted. It took the Rangers over ten minutes to really get a substantial amount of offense generated. For the first half of the period, they only had a handful of shots while the number seemed to keep going up for Carolina. For a while, every shot that the Rangers had, Carolina had three, perhaps more.
It was right around the halfway point of the first period when the momentum switched gears to the Rangers side. Brady Skjei took a holding penalty that put the Rangers on the power play and for probably the first time this series, the Blueshirt’s top unit was able to get something going. Adam Fox and Artemi Panarin had a little more room at the points to work with and continued to feed Mika Zibanejad who finally let a shot go that snuck past Antti Raanta short side. 1-0 Rangers. By the end of the period, the Hurricanes outshot the Rangers 17-13 however, it felt way more lopsided then the numbers make it sound. Aside from a couple moments early on and following the power play, the Rangers really weren’t getting much done and this game had feelings similar to game one except they weren’t playing like they did in game one.
The Rangers had to be better in the second period and find more ways to generate offense. Close to six minutes into the period, Chris Kreider impressively turned to his forehand low in the circle from behind the net to let a shot go past a stickless defender in Tony DeAngelo to make it 2-0 Blueshirts. A great play by Kreider to get that shot off with some help from Mika who caught DeAngelo with a loose grip on the stick to throw him off the play. Of course, the Rangers would only hold on to the two goal lead for a couple minutes as Nino Neiderreitter found himself on a breakaway, sneaking a bankhander through the arm of Shesterkin. One he definitely would’ve liked to have back as up to that point, he was keeping anything and everything out of the Rangers net. The fans were quick with an Igor chant that you have to think helped him bounce back and continue playing the strong game he was. That sort of play would absolutely be needed as the Hurricanes continued getting plenty of pucks to the net, tallying up 18 shots in the second making their total for the game through two periods 35.
You have to say, especially after dealing with what the Rangers went through in the first round, that the officials are doing a very fair job of calling this series. For the most part, they’re letting them play and the calls have been rather balanced. This continued last night as both teams had a penalty in each period. Sure, there were a couple plays here and there that they probably could’ve brought the whistle out for, but it truly feels night and day from the Penguins series. Carolina continued pressure in the third but the Rangers held strong and even outshot them 10-9. Rod Brind’ Amour pulled Raanta for the extra attacker with plenty of time left and when Chris Kreider missed the net on a partial breakaway, Rangers fans stomachs definitely sank for a quick second.
Tyler Motte was able to clear the zone for the Rangers and the puck found the back of the net to give the Rangers some much needed insurance that would lead to their first win of the Eastern Conference Semifinals and get them back in the series. Tensions certainly rose at the buzzer as the tone going into game four took an aggressive turn when Max Domi delivered a late cross-check to Ryan Lindgren who was quick to let him know that kind of play isn’t going to be tolerated. Game three ended in a scrum and Gerard Gallant yelling what was clearly interpreted as colorful language. We don’t know what exactly DeAngelo was saying but as Rangers fans are more than familiar with who he is on and off the ice, it’s safe to assume DeAngelo deserved to be put in his place.
It will be very interesting to see if those sparks continue into game four as the Rangers absolutely have the artillery for that battle. There hasn’t been a ton of physicality, especially regarding fighting in these playoffs and you have to wonder if any will come now that some heat is brewing between the two. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if Gallant opts to start Ryan Reaves and his linemates come Tuesday night. Regardless, the Rangers have to be smart and have to win. While they’ve done it before, you don’t want to go down 3-1 in the series and with Carolina not being good on the road, you can’t give them any opportunities on home ice. Tie up the series, win one on the road and take it from them on home ice. The Rangers need to find another level and completely change the momentum of this series moving forward.
Chris Feldman
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